If your iPhone's speakers are sounding a bit muffled, there's a good chance they're just dirty. Over time, dust and other small particles can build up and cause audio quality to suffer. But a quick cleaning can often clear things right up.

Tips on how not to damage your iPhone's speakers when cleaning them

If you're like most people, you probably don't think much about cleaning your iPhone speakers. After all, they're just there to make sound, right? But if you're not taking care of them, your speakers could start to sound fuzzy and muffled, and eventually they could even stop working altogether. Here are some do's and don'ts of cleaning your iPhone speakers:

Don't use harsh cleaning agents

Most cleaning agents are harsh and can damage your iPhone speakers. Instead, use a mild soap and water solution or a cloth dampened with water and a little bit of mild soap.

Don't over-clean your iPhone speakers

Sometimes people try to clean their iPhone speakers too aggressively, which can damage the plastic housing and the internal speaker components. Just give them a good cleaning once a month or so, and don't go overboard.

Don't use metal objects to clean your iPhone speakers

Metal objects can scratch the surface of your iPhone speakers, causing them to stop working properly. Instead, use a soft, non-metallic object to clean them.

Don’t use sharp things

Do not use sharp things to eliminate any dust from the appliance. There have been suggestions that you scrape your speaker grilles with toothpicks, tweezers, and even paperclips. Don't do that.

Don’t Use Compressed Air

Compressed air in a container should never be used. When it comes to laptop keyboards, these goods are useful, but the force they generate is too powerful to be used on more sensitive devices. As a result, you could end up pushing dirt deeper into the device.

What's Apple's official advice on cleaning your iPhone speakers?

Considering that Apple is the manufacturer of iPhone speakers, we decided to check out the company's official instructions on how to clean them. In a statement, Apple said "If required, use a small, soft-bristled brush to clean the speaker or receiver's opening. Clean and dry the brush before using it."

With our "do's" for cleaning your iPhone's speakers, we're taking that advice a step further.

How to properly clean the speakers on your iPhone

Use Soft Brush

The grilles of your iPhone's speakers should be brushed with a soft bristles brush, not a stiff one. To avoid pushing dirt up into the grille, use the brush at an angle and gently brush it out.

Use Cleaning Putty

Consider purchasing a cleaning putty. In a pinch, Blu-Tack can be substituted for putty, but you want the putty to be as sticky as possible so that you can remove the dirt without pushing it deeper.

Use A Blower

A blower is a good idea. While not as powerful as a can of compressed air, these handy gadgets are safe to use with iPhones because of their lower pressure. After you've used the soft bristled brush, you might want to use an air blower to get rid of any leftover particles.

If your speaker still sounds muffled after trying these simple cleaning techniques, you can always take your iPhone to an Apple Store or an authorized service provider for further assistance to replace the speaker itself. Luckily, this is a relatively easy repair that can be done at home or Service center with just a few tools. Follow the instructions by iPhone Speaker Replacement guide to get your iPhone sounding great again in no time.